Primary Menu

Post navigation

Being an older sister and naturally a women I’ve always had an interest in homemaking. And would proudly take on the job.

Fast forward few decades:

Between the hobbies, wedding celebrations, friends & clients. And at the time a new full time job I veered off of something I’ve always loved – homemaking.

Today was one of those days where I wanted to be quiet, left with my own thoughts. To just be.

There is something about cooking while listening to soft tunes that keeps me grounded. In the moment. Where time stays still. And nothing else matters.
In the moments like this, I’m grateful for my life more than ever
and people I’m surrounded with.
Taking time for myself means slowing down, breathe deeper, being present.

I also know that by taking time for myself I become a better wife, friend, daughter, person. I am ME!

I take my life for granted. I do. In today’s hustle and bustle is hard to slow down. But when I finally do, I’m overwhelmed with the love I feel. Love for my life, for the little things and those around me.

As simple as a soft tune in the background and a night of cooking takes me someplace where I want to be more.

How do you practice self love?

‘Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live’. ~Jim Rohn

There is something about yoga. Something that fully clears my head, recharges me in a different way and fires me up for life!

Last night I attended Forrest Yoga. First class of 2014. As I was sitting on my mat, propped up with the block, soaking up every word, every intention our teacher wanted us to explore/set for the next 90 minutes. Something appeared to me, I feel ‘at home’ on my mat. I feel safe, connected to my body, I feel fully present. As if nothing else matters.
It’s a gentle reminder to be more present. To learn to just.. be!

When asanas gets tough – I don’t give up, I breathe though it. And when it’s all over I feel that enormous space that I have created. And I remind myself to take a big, deep breath when life gets tough – to breathe through it all and to create that space I’ve been craving.

Yoga taught me to put aside what ifs and to concentrate on what is, to be in the moment, right here, right now!
During this difficult past few months of work and wedding planning I needed time for myself. Place where I can leave every little thing at the door and to be present with my own thoughts and my own body. And I found that!
My goal this year is to dedicate good amount of my time to yoga, to learn to be fully present and to breathe through life’s tough moments. Namaste!

With the hustle and bustle of Holiday season and the fact that I am way behind on my holiday shopping (so not like me) surprisingly, I feel at peace.
I’m at peace with the fact that consciously, I’ll make time to bake, cook my first turkey and host an amazing orphan Christmas dinner. All with pleasure and plenty of gratitude.
This Holiday is different from any other. I have decided to continue the theme of 2013 and embrace; more gratitude and less material things/possessions.

My spouse and I turned 30 this year. It’s huge for both of us! So this decade we are concentrating on gratitude, happiness and bigger than ever accomplishments! And hosting an orphan Christmas dinner is the first.
We are grateful for our health, little family that we created over the years, good and loyal people in our lives, those who wished they had them and the ones that are far away from family and friends during this cozy, holiday season and the ones we get to see once in few years.
The rest of the year is all about us and the people we surround ourselves with during this Holiday season.
So I’m asking you, to make this Christmas special… do something different: invite a lonely friend for a dinner, make a sandwich for a homeless guy you pass by everyday to the coffee shop, create a random act of kindness. Do something that will make your soul smile – it’s that time of year!

Last night millions of people turned back the clock in preparation for colder, darker days – known as winter.

First time in my life I welcomed winter with open arms and a little excitement. There is something about this cozy season that makes my heart smile. I’m excited!
I’m excited for the new beginnings of this season. Excited for crispy morning runs followed by soul warming soups for lunch. Slow cooker meals for dinner and knitting, reading, baking filled weekends. At this time of year I find myself digging in into the projects that have been put on hold in the sunny summer months. And committing to those challenges I was hoping to forget 🙂
It’s the perfect time to feed your soul!

There are few things I’ll be part of. May I suggest you give them a try? or perhaps create your own?

+ Soup Exchange (get together with girlfriends and share your favourite soup dishes with each other)
+ Swimming (to me, it’s a life skill to master) to you it might be a way to relax, exercise or both
+ Knitting (to be exact, learning how. Along with creating a piece to wear)
+ Craft workshops (love me some DIY)
+ Make my goals come true. Project. (do you have something you’d always wanted to achieve? well, this is the time)
+ Post holiday 7 day ‘Ready, Set, Glow’ detox program (who else is in?)
+ Daily gratitude (work in progress) “Sometimes the little things in life mean the most.”
+ Read more, learn more, be more – always!

It’s Saturday night and a 7 day challenge of No phone and social mediaday is here.

As I turn my phone off – I panic. Wait, I need it! What about the alarm? I don’t own an alarm. I’m one of those crazy people that wake up at dawn, way before everybody else in order to stretch 24 hour day by an hour or two. So I settle for an airplane mode, set my alarm for Monday morning and let myself sleep in tomorrow.

As I wake up, I compulsively reach for my phone to get my morning updates. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook.. you know.?! Then I realize, none of this is available to me, not for the next seven days. Panic sets in but I try to move on.
Still sleepy I brush my teeth and make my way to the kitchen and have my morning glass of water. As I’m preparing breakfast I think to myself, what am I going to do?

So I grab a book and park myself on the couch to eat my breakfast.
Hmm, this is actually enjoyable I think to myself. I got into the book so deep that I just might finish it before getting on with my day. This is amazing!
You see, I love to read. A lot. But never ‘have time’ for it. I am so obsessed what everyone is doing, saying, participating in and the need to update myfamily and friends that live worlds and coasts away with what I’m doing, saying and participating in. That I forget to enjoy and take advantage of what’s in front of me and to cherish the present moment.
As I mentally plan my day I decide to go for a run, without my phone, equipped with a Garmin instead. To my surprise it was so relaxing and that much more enjoyable. There were no distractions. No ringing, no buzzing, no texts or email notifications – just silence. And then I realized something, phone heightens anxiety and stress for me – I just know it.

To tell you the truth. I struggled.
Day 1 and 2 were sheer torture. I couldn’t get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. Getting out of my comfort zone is not easy, but absolutely essential for personal growth.
By Day 3 I started to surrender. I found myself reaching for the book on my lunch break, enjoying the peace knowing that no one can reach me, distract me, or pull me away from the present moment. I happened to have no watch on me either and that made me slow down a little. I’m still on my regular schedule and ticking things off my to-do list, it’s just done in the more mindful way.
It’s the end of Day 4. I pick up my phone to set an alarm for the next day – I feel repulsed by it. The thought of dealing with hundreds of emails, texts, and notifications makes me anxious. So I put down the phone, take a deep breath and remember, it’s only the end of Day 4 – Thank Goodness!
On the Day 5 I noticed myself getting more creative. A lot more ideas, future challenges and positive thoughts fill my head. It’s all about me and the present moment. I must admit – I love it!
Day 6 and 7 effortlessly flew by without the thought of needing my phone or social media to connect. I learned to have old fashioned home phone and one-on-one conversations instead, be proactive and enjoy what’s in front of me.

Now I watch TV and actually pay attention, read and submerge into the book, have real connection and conversations with my spouse and have my days planned out to be a little more productive than they were before. I also learned that there is so much more to life than social media, texting and the rest of virtual world.

In my eyes I succeeded. And not because I endured 7 days of no phone and social media but because I learned something in the process.

How will YOU challenge yourself today? Share your most proud moments here and let’s continue this awesome circle of Inspire me to Inspire you!

“Live your passion. What does that mean anyway? It means that when you get up in the morning, you are pumped because you get to talk about or work with or do the thing that interests you the most in the world. You don’t live for vacations because you don’t need a break from what you’re doing – working, playing, and relaxing are one and the same. You don’t even pay attention to how many hours you’re working because to you, it’s not really work. You’re making money, but you’d do whatever it is you’re doing for free.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

What are your passions?

Are you living them?

If not, what is holding you back?

Your are made up of a unique set of passions, things that speak to your soul and light you up. Your…

I woke up feeling grateful that I am able to share my skills with someone in need. However, I could not predict how amazing and rewarding it would be.

I arrived at the hospice early, to organize and familiarize myself with the area, nurses and the rest of the girls on my team. My impression of this place haven’t changed. It’s still is very warm and peaceful, I like it here.

First patient – the one I’ll never forget.

Handsome gentlemen as appears to be in his 70’s calmly laying in bed. His well put together wife sitting next to him, rubbing his hand, feeding him at times. She says he loves foot massage and he’s thrilled for the treat.

So I proceed. As I gently warm the lotion between my hands I place my hands on his feet. His skin is soft and warm and I already feel his energy. He instantly relaxes and manages a little smile as a sign of approval and a state of bliss that he is in. My heart melts, I become emotional. I don’t want him to leave his wife, not yet at least. I picture myself in her shoes, it’s getting harder. I take a big breath. I look up and see how much he’s enjoying it and that makes me feel a little bit better.

I go on…

I moved on to his hands and that’s when it became unreal. I don’t want to let go. I want to rub and hold his hand. His energy is pulling me towards him, he’s giving me his positive vibration. I can feel it, it’s surreal!

First time in my life I felt like the time has stopped and nothing else matters but this moment. I didn’t force it, it came over me as I connected with this men on the level I can even describe. I didn’t wanna leave, not because I felt sorry for him or his lovely wife but because where I was, time stood still and the feeling of peace and happiness was hovering in the air.

What just happened? I left with more than I came with…

I might not be able to comprehend this concept, but what I know for certain is, ‘If today were last day of my life, would I want to do what I’m about to do today?‘ I’ll always say YES!